Virat Kohli set to miss first ODI with groin injury

Former Indian Captain Virat Kohli is expected to miss the first One Day International match against England, scheduled to take place at the Oval on 12th July, Tuesday, owing to a groin strain sustained during the third T20I against England.


While the injury's severity may remain a secret, the team management would be keen to provide him with rest for the first match to ensure complete recovery and return to fitness for the last two ODIs.


"Virat has a groin strain during the last game. It can't be confirmed whether it happened during fielding or while batting. He will probably miss the first ODI tomorrow at Oval as the groin needs rest," revealed an anonymous BCCI source to the PTI.


Reports also suggest that Kohli did not board the team bus from Nottingham to London, probably to get necessary health check-ups and tests done.


Thus, he also did not join the three ODI-only players- Shikhar Dhawan, Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna, who availed an optional net session at the Oval in London on Monday.


This may also be the cause of the delay in unveiling the Indian team for the five-match T20I series against the West Indies at their home and in the USA. The squad will finally be announced on Tuesday.


Indian Skipper Rohit Sharma was seen valiantly defending his predecessor and former skipper Kohli during a post-match press conference, amid debates and discussions on whether he is good enough to be a part of the T20 XI or not. Sharma boldly challenged the opinions of so-called 'experts', which could include the likes of legends such as Kapil Dev and Virender Sehwag. 


Sources also suggest that Kohli may not be very keen to be a part of the white ball squad that will tour the West Indies, which could open his non-selection to being termed as having been 'dropped' from the side as well. 


The team will be provided with a special charter flight from Manchester to Port of Spain to provide sufficient safety to the players, confirmed the BCCI source.


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